The Scout Squad – Gameweek 29

After last week’s selectorial love-in, there should be a bit more bite to the discussions of our ‘expert’ panel ahead of Gameweek 29.

Fantasy Football Scout regulars Mark, Paul and Jonty and Hall of Fame luminary Peter Kouwenberg agree on the obvious – Mohamed Salah must feature.

There’s also broad consensus on a Spurs and/or Liverpool defender.

But aside from Harry Kane and, probably, Roberto Firmino, there’s a forward place up for grabs, while all manner of midfielders are vying for their attention.

Riyad Mahrez should get the nod, and after that, there are cases made for Christian Eriksen, Marko Arnautovic, Xherdan Shaqiri, Aaron Ramsey and even James-Ward Prowse.

We’ll be back later in the week to see who out of that lot makes the cut. And in the meantime, sit back, relax and let the bickering begin.

Peter Says…

There wasn’t too much for me to write home about in Gameweek 28.

Troy Deeney and Pascal Gross were the only lights to shine outside the usual Liverpool and Spurs suspects (with Sergio Aguero still to play).

The Anfield and Wembley outfits yet again provide the core of my selections this week with Huddersfield and, perhaps to a lesser extent, Newcastle both there for the taking.

Andrew Robertson and Ben Davies are stand-out defensive choices after showing resilience to rotation which many had not predicted, while Mohamed Salah, Christian Eriksen, Roberto Firmino and Harry Kane are somewhat unimaginative mainstays.

On a less fashionable note, I’m backing Watford and Southampton to repel West Brom and Stoke City respectively.

Daryl Janmaat and Jack Stephens have been busy in the opposition area recently, and their team-mates James Ward-Prowse and Troy Deeney provide great budget-friendly options to free up some serious funds for the remainder of the squad.

Just over 17 million finds its way to Selhurst Park where the ever-impressive David De Gea is joined for the first time in a while by team-mate Romelu Lukaku.

My general distrust of Manchester United’s attacking intent is being temporarily overlooked thanks to the Belgian’s eye-catching performance against Chelsea, and the fact that even I might have a chance against the Eagles’ defence, such are their injury woes.

It’s a sign of the times that I’m torn between whether to back a Brighton forward or an Arsenal striker when the two teams meet at the Amex Stadium and ultimately I can’t overlook Glenn Murray’s sensational form – or indeed the fact that only four sides have conceded more shots in the box than the Gunners recently.

Ben Mee has been the model of consistency for me, by which I mean he has recorded either one or two points nearly every week I have chosen him, as Burnley tumble to the bottom of the form table.

But I’m keeping faith that Turf Moor will become the goal-free zone which both Sean Dyche and Sam Allardyce seem to crave, with Jordan Pickford and Nick Pope also set to profit from a dour 0-0 game.

Paul Says

I’m backing Watford’s renaissance under Javi Gracia to continue as West Brom roll up to Vicarage Road.

At the back, in particular, the Hornets have impressed, conceding just three goals in four since their new manager was appointed.

Goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis has claimed 20 points in that run, while no defender has exceeded Jose Holebas’ six key passes.

Elsewhere at the back, Spurs’ Serge Aurier is suspended for next week’s Champions League clash with Juventus and therefore looks set to earn the nod ahead of Kieran Trippier at right-back for the visit of Huddersfield.

The summer signing has served up 28 points in his last four outings at Wembley, thanks to a goal, assist and a pair of clean sheets.

West Ham’s Marko Arnautovic returned to his role up front last week and was unlucky not to net against Liverpool, firing one of three efforts against the woodwork.

Away to a Swansea City side that are ranked in the bottom five for expected goals conceded over the last four, he looks poised to get among the points.

Over his respective last four matches, only Salah and Sadio Mane (12 each) better the Austrian’s eight shots inside the box among FPL midfielders.

Jonty Says…

Our decision to triple up on both Liverpool and Spurs assets last time out reaped significant rewards, with only Reds centre-back Virgil van Dijk blanking.

With both sides once again facing favourable opposition, I’m advocating focusing our picks on these two teams once again.

Spurs take on a Huddersfield at Wembley having thumped them 4-0 earlier this season to make Kane, Eriksen and Davies shoo-ins for me.

However, the London side’s Champions League match with Juventus four days later does concern me a little. It could see their minutes reduced with that tie being finely poised at 2-2.

Meanwhile, Liverpool host a Newcastle outfit that has conceded 42 penalty area shots over their last four run-outs – an embarrassing league-low record they share with bottom club West Brom.

Salah and Firmino are lock-ins after registering 10 goals and five assists between them over their last six league matches.

There’s no place for van Dijk in my long list. Robertson’s kinder price tag and assist against West Ham last time out is likely to offer us better value.

Elsewhere, West Brom’s awful run of form – they’ve conceded a league-worst 11 goals in their last four – drives me to back Watford’s charges.

At the back, Adrian Mariappa looks exceptional value at 4.1, having started the last four and impressing against Everton last weekend.

In that 1-0 victory against the Toffees, the Jamaica international earned two bonus points on the back of his 100% tackle rate, ten clearances and winning more than three-quarters of his aerial duels.

Mark Says…

I imagine that I’ll be in the minority when it comes to my choice of Liverpool defender, but despite Andrew Robertson’s impressive showing against West Ham, I’m not keen to call time on Virgil van Dijk just yet.

That just seems a little fickle, and Robertson’s price tag – while attractive – does not alter the fact that van Dijk has the superior goal threat.

Elsewhere in defence, I’ve nominated two unfashionable options in Stephens and Holebas who can save us valuable funds for investment in attacking areas.

Stephens has a presence at set-pieces which has led to two goals over his last four Gameweeks and with visitors Stoke City perhaps missing Ryan Shawcross, I believe that the Ward-Prowse’s deliveries could be a key weapon at St Mary’s.

Holebas is an old favourite, more associated with fetching yellow cards these days than Fantasy returns. However, he’s impressed under Gracia, and his dead-balls could be a factor against a hapless West Brom at Vicarage Road.

I reckon our midfield quartet will pick itself and I’ll be fighting to ensure that Arnautovic – in particular – gets the nod.

In attack, there will be some dispute.

I’m endorsing Jamie Vardy at home to Bournemouth, though concede that Firmino and a budget option – perhaps even Troy Deeney or Glenn Murray – are more likely to partner Kane. I mustn’t let the fact that Bobby has tormented me since Gameweek 18 cloud my judgement.

The Community Champion

Representing the community against the Scout Picks in Gameweek 29 will be Heroes and Villians, who is 24th in the overall rankings and second in the FFS Members league.

His three top 10,000 finishes across his previous seven campaigns suggest that his current lofty placing is no fluke.

The champion who has the best lead over the Scouts during 2017/18 will win a £100 Amazon voucher (currently we can only offer Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com vouchers).

Last week’s champion, Davidoff7, tied 50-50 with the Scouts. Neither selection contains any players from the Gameweek’s final match, between Arsenal and Man City on Thursday.

The one to beat remains Gregor, who achieved victory over the Scouts by a 33-point margin in Gameweek 5.